(no subject)

[yuuago]

I was digging around in my closet and found some of my art supplies. There are a few huge canvasses that I never really knew what to do with, and now I have some ideas for some abstracts.

It would involve using washi tapes of various widths, putting them across the canvass. And then painting over it in various colours, not necessarily actual gradients but maybe. And then removing the tapes to make straight, clean lines. I think it would look really cool. Fortunately I also have some small canvasses, so I'd be able to do an experimental version first.

First I'll have to dig around some more, though. I don't know what I have for acrylic materials, if I have the colours I want, or even if any of my acrylic paints are still good. And I also have some other supplies that it might be fun to play with; watercolour stuff and such. Actually I might mess with the watercolour stuff first, do some different projects unrelated to the washi tape stuff, just because I find watercolours easier to clean up after than acrylics. And it's easier to dump watercolour paper in the bin if I don't like the results.

I also want to pick up the bug drawing project again. That was fun. There's no reason not to continue with it.

Comments

[ireneultramarine]

Paints can last forever as long as they don't dry out or grow mold. Watercolor is easier to set up and clean up, but acrylic might be a more forgiving medium to paint with. Watercolor really only works well on watercolor paper in my experience, but acrylic can go on everything, and you can paint over acrylic paintings that you don't like with a lot of white paint — I've done that with acrylics and oils a couple of times.

Really excited to see what you'll make👀

[yuuago]

Oh yeah, I have canvas etc but I also have a lot of watercolour paper. I'll probably end up doing stuff with both kinds. I also have some gouache that I've never touched.

One point in favour of watercolour is that I have some postcard-sized sheets. I'm kind of toying with the idea of painting some of those and then sending them out to people in Postcrossing. It would solve the issue of "Okay, I made a thing! ...Now what do I do with it?"

Part of the reason I ended up even thinking about painting at all is I saw an advertisement for Beam Paints watercolour kits, said "Ooooh pretty," and then sternly reminded myself that I have paints at home and that I should try those and figure out if I even like doing art now. (I used to do it a lot, but somewhere along the line it stopped being fun and I haven't done much of anything in years.)

We'll see if anything happens!

I have a lot of opinions about art & supplies

[ireneultramarine]

Gouache is surprisingly different from watercolor in terms of handling properties, but it's really versatile either on its own or in combination with (transparent) watercolor.

Tiny watercolor sheets are great for trying new supplies and techniques. I used to do this thing where I'd freehand circles within some sort of arrangement to be doing Something with all those paints I have practice brush control. I haven't thought of sending them out as postcards before — that could be fun thing to do.

I've heard a lot of good things about Beam Paints! The presentation is cute (as the ad must have shown) and the paint quality seems to be quite nice. If you find yourself enjoying watercolor (hopefully), it could be a nice treat.